Performance Evaluation of a Plate Encapsulated Salt Hydrate PCM Mixed with a Gel

Abstract

An alternative method of cooling is required to meet cooling demands and simultaneously decrease conventional energy consumption. The current research aimed to investigate the feasibility of using a phase change material (PCM) in the form of a salt hydrate mixed with a CSIR-developed gel for PCM based cold storage that used nighttime cold to cool ambient air during the day. The experiments were conducted over a time period of three hours between 12:00 pm and 15:00 pm in the afternoon. The total temperature drops were found to be 3.8, 2.9 and 2.6 degrees for air flow rates of 0.03, 0.05 and 0.06kg/s respectively. The total energy transferred for each of the mass flow rates averaged 140.9, 144.4 and 158.9J for air flow rates of 0.03, 0.05 and 0.06kg/s respectively.